The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Water metering system draws flak from residents

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Sunday, May 18, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Water metering system draws flak from residents

Staff Reporter

Call for equitable water pressure and better quality

— Photo: K.Pichumani

VOICING CONCERN: A member of a residents’ welfare association makes a point about the water metering system at a civic meeting at Anna Nagar on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Anna Nagar residents demanded that the present charges collected for water supply be increased instead of implementing the water metering system.

With representatives of Chennai Metrowater and residents’ welfare associations participating, the civic meeting organised by Exnora International proved to be an opportunity to discuss issues related to water metering system being introduced in the city.

Representatives of various residents’ welfare associations complained that the metering system had several shortcomings such as faulty water meters.

It would often get repaired due to depositing of grime in the chamber.

Exnora International president M.B.Nirmal said Chennai Metrowater must ensure equitable water pressure and better water quality before introducing the metering system. Exnora International’s chairman S. Sivakumaran spoke about the problems related to monthly meter reading.

Ramachandran of Geethanjali Colony, Anna Nagar, highlighted the difficulties in fixing the meters near the sumps. The equipment had to be fixed in a separate water chamber for a depth of about five to six feet, which would make meter reading difficult. The meters recorded even the air flow that occurred during the initial minutes before water supply.

Duraiswamy of Shenoy Nagar said the initiative would encourage judicious use of drinking water. But it may not be applicable in the city that often faced water shortage.

Slab rate

Several residents also raised doubts about the rates for metered connections and billing system. C.G.Ratnam of Anna Nagar said water meters must be procured and fixed by Metrowater. The flat rate of Rs.15 per kilo litre for multi-storeyed buildings was relatively high. He suggested the slab rate be reverted to facilitate lower rates for those who consumed less water.

R. Gopalasamy founder-president of Exnora Club of Anna Nagar, said a water tariff regulatory authority must be set up. He suggested that the meters be fixed in overhead tanks instead of sumps.

Responding to the complaints, Metrowater superintending engineer (central) C. Prakasam said action would be taken on the issues pointed out by the residents after discussion with the higher authorities.

He had earlier said the Board was focussing on fixing meters in multi-storeyed buildings and special buildings. Meters would be installed by Metrowater on request from consumers, he said.

Speaking later to The Hindu, he said slab rate was still retained for individual houses, starting from Rs.2.50 up to 10 kl. Though electronic meters that can be mounted on walls were available, it was not popular among consumers as it was expensive.

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